Single Disc Liquid Fertilizer Opener

ABSTRACT

A method and apparatus to be mounted upon a planter row unit for delivering liquid fertilizer to the bottom of a trench without contacting the seed to be planted may be integrated with a cleaner for the furrow opening device. The system as claimed and described is adapted for mounting to substantially all modern row units employing floating row units. The method and apparatus as described does not interfere with existing down pressure or seed placement systems as found on modern row crop planters. As described and implemented, the method and apparatus is more compact and lighter in weight than the prior art. The attached assembly for a seed planting unit works in combination with a seed trench opener to form a trench for the deposit of liquid fertilizer offset from and parallel to the later formed seed trench.

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

The present application is a continuation of and claims priority fromU.S. patent application Ser. No. 12/192,774 filed on Aug. 15, 2008,which was a continuation of and claimed priority from U.S. patentapplication No. 11/215,718 originally filed Aug. 30, 2005, both of whichare incorporated by reference herein in their entireties.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The apparatus and method described herein are generally applicable tothe field of agricultural equipment. The embodiments shown and describedherein are more particularly for improved delivery of liquid fertilizeras used with seed planter row units.

STATEMENT REGARDING FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCH OR DEVELOPMENT

No federal funds were used to develop or create the invention disclosedand described in the patent application.

REFERENCE TO SEQUENCE LISTING, A TABLE, OR A COMPUTER PROGRAM LISTINGCOMPACT DISK APPENDIX

Not Applicable

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The invention as described herein is for attachment to a planter rowunit to be used in minimum or no-till conditions. Over the past fortyyears there has been a migration in agriculture from full tillage priorto planting to no or minimum tilled planting. Full tillage operationsmay have included multiple passes and resulted in a soil surface havinga relatively smooth, soft and uniform composition. The tilled seedbedoffered a uniformly inviting environment for introduction of fertilizer.By contrast, the field and soil conditions offered by the typicalno-till or minimum till environment are inhospitable. The surface coverand soil conditions are typically non-uniform. The field residue,although substantially decomposed, presents ample opportunities forplugging, wadding and or repelling of a disc, coulter or knife insertedtherein. Farmers face the challenges presented by adoption of no-tilland minimum till practices now out of necessity versus choice asrequired by the ever competitive agricultural environment.

Since the introduction of the modern planter row unit, many changes havetaken place within agriculture as a result of both internal and externalforces. Genetic, chemical and fertilization technologies have increasedyields while globalization has increased competition to produce morebushels at less cost. Another important force in the market has beenconsolidation of operations and growth of farming operations. Farmingoperations now may cover thousands and tens of thousands of acres,acreages not possible or thought plausible twenty to thirty years ago.This consolidation has fueled intense competition to reduce operatingcosts and maximize equipment utilization rates to increaseprofitability. As a result operators are pulling larger row cropplanters, driving faster across the field during planting and reducingthe trips to and across the field. The drive to reduce the trips acrossthe field has spurned interest in both low and no-tillage plantingoperations. These practices are also sought because fewer passes over afield require less input cost. Additionally, due to reduced margins andlarger equipment, fewer farmers are farming more acres of ground. Thishas produced the impetus to increase planting speed up to 6-7 miles perhour.

Environmental laws and regulations passed since the initial introductionof the modern planter row unit governing water run-off and soil erosionrequire implementation of low-till or minimum till practices. Furtheroperational changes are also driven by the impact of government pricesupports and payments. Compliance with environmental laws andregulations is required for enrollment in most government programs andpayments may be contingent on compliance with modern soil conservationtechniques.

What has not changed, however, is the length of the seasons and theimportance of field conditions to the resultant crop planted. Perregion, there are typically only so many days best suited for plantingcrops. Furthermore, planting in sub-optimum conditions still increasesthe potential for a poor result and reduced crop yields. Now then, morethan ever, farm operators have an incentive to reduce costs and complywith the standards of government programs through adoption of one-passor one-trip technologies. Minimal disruption of the soil is preferredfor both compliance reasons and economics i.e. one-trip plantingrequires less fuel and labor expense. These factors have changed theenvironment and requirements for the modern planter row unit. The fieldand market environment today therefore, requires planter attachmentsthat can handle increased variations in the soil and field conditions.

A compliment to one-pass planting methods is the introduction offertilizer at the time of planting. This practice is supported byagricultural research indicating a small amount of fertilizer concurrentwith the introduction of seed and in relative proximity to the seed,provides the emerging plant with a boost or jumpstart. Although eitherliquid or dry fertilizer can be used to provide this “jumpstart”, manyusers have migrated to liquid because it absorbs into the soil betterand is easier to handle. Directed placement of fertilizer (also known as“starter” or “jumpstarter” fertilizer) in close spatial relationship toseed at the time of planting is therefore beneficial to the plant. Thebenefits of this practice are supported by ample trials and evidencesuggesting improved plant growth characteristics and ultimately improvedyields. To achieve the desired benefits of starter fertilizer requiresattainment of the following objectives:

1. Proper fertilizer placement in the soil;2. Proper fertilizer placement in relation to the seed as the seed isplaced in the soil; and3. Segregation of the seed and fertilizer as placed in the soil.

The resulting detrimental effects of not achieving the above objectivesare understood by those practiced in the arts. Placing the fertilizer ontop of the soil reduces the value of the fertilizer to the seed andexposes the fertilizer to wind or water erosion. Placing the fertilizertoo far from the seed, either vertically or horizontally, reduces theseed's access to the fertilizer, thereby reducing the effectiveness ofthe fertilizer. It is also advantageous to minimize the contact of theliquid fertilizer with the planting equipment. Liquid fertilizer isknown to degrade both paint and metal surfaces potentially decreasingequipment operational run times. The corrosive nature of the liquidfertilizer also increases operator difficulties in working on equipmentexposed to said fertilizer. Direct placement of corrosive liquidfertilizer upon the seed can degrade and or destroy the planted seed.

The prior art, however, has failed to enable an apparatus or method ofstarter fertilizer placement which accomplishes the above objectives. Areview and examination of the prior art highlights the weaknesses of theprior art to enable liquid fertilizer delivery in close proximity to aseed trench. As result, the solutions available in the prior art areinadequate.

Prior Art Review

U.S. Pat. Nos. 6,912,963 and 6,644,224 issued to Bassett both disclosesingle disc fertilizer opener mounted to a row unit. Both patents failto teach a method or apparatus for directed placement of liquidfertilizer and incorporated within the soil therein. Furthermore,Bassett is silent on the necessity of maintaining soil between theplaced fertilizer and seed. U.S. Pat. No. 6,347,594 issued to Wendlingteaches a single disc seed opener in combination with a closing wheel.To respond to changes in soil elevation and conditions, Wendlingrequires mounting the assembly on the planter frame and for the discopener to be spring loaded. Furthermore, angle of the disc blade is tobe angled at approximately five (5) degrees from the direction oftravel. As deployed, under Wendling, all units are mounted at the sameangle to the direction of travel. This mounting method results in highside loading forces at the point of attachment for each unit. Placementof fertilizer using the seed tube as taught by Wendling would result insplashing fertilizer on the disc and potentially the seed. U.S. Pat. No.4,760,806 issued to Bigbee teaches another frame mounted single disc incombination with a seed tube. See also U.S. Pat. No. 5,640,914 issued toRawson; U.S. Pat. No. 5,626,196 issued to Hughes; and U.S. Pat. No.4,987,841 issued to Rawson provide other examples of frame mountedsingle disc openers. U.S. Pat. No. 5,787,994 issued to Frieson disclosesa single disc opener mounted to the parallel linkage of a row unit. Theangle of the single disc as taught by Frieson is four degrees from theplanter direction of travel; the fertilizer placement tube as mountedmoves in the same direction as the planter direction of travel. The discis coultered or tined as taught by Friesen and the fertilizer feed tubeis mounted to an upright mounted groove forming shank. A spring isdisclosed to bias the shank against the disc having a coulter or tine.No mechanism is disclosed to bias the shank against the furrow to holdthe shank in the furrow. No mechanism is disclosed to move thefertilizer feed tube discharge outlet in combination with the openerassembly. Finally, U.S. Pat. Nos. 6,260,632 and 6,024,179 issued toBourgault discloses a floating disc opener contacting an inner side ofthe disc blade. As disclosed the assembly does not extend to or past theouter perimeter of the disc. The fertilizer tube as taught by Bourgaultdoes not extend into the furrow created by the disc.

The above prior art alone or in combination fails to teach a planter rowunit mounted attachment for directed delivery and incorporation ofliquid fertilizer in no or minimum till conditions which is compact andlight in weight. The prior art fails to teach an apparatus thatminimizes interference with seed placement while minimizing soildisruption for placement of said fertilizer. The prior art fails toteach a liquid fertilizer opener that creates minimal side loading usinga symmetrical but opposite mounting structure.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The row unit mounted single disc liquid fertilizer opener described andclaimed herein is mounted upon a planter row unit to minimize impact anddisruption of the seed furrow while delivering liquid fertilizer to aseparate and segregated fertilizer furrow for no-till or minimum tillageoperations. The single disc fertilizer opener is preferably mounted incombination with a row cleaner but is not necessary for enablement. Thesingle disc is angled less than five degrees from the direction oftravel. In the preferred embodiment, the single disc liquid fertilizeropener assemblies for the left and right planter row units are a mirrorimage of each other but have opposite angles i.e. the left and rightside units are not interchangeable. In this configuration, soil is movedby the disc from the inside of the row to the outside, thus minimizinginterference with the seed trench. This configuration also equalizes theside loading when an equal number of units are mounted on each side ofthe planter frame.

The disc assembly is mounted upon a disc axle using tapered bearings.Adjustment and maintenance of the disc assembly has been improved byinclusion of an interlocking axle and step washer to allow tighteningthe tapered bearings without removal of a cotter or tapered pin whichare prone to failure and or corrosion.

As disclosed and claimed, the discs are angled and work in combinationwith a furrow control strap which is mounted to the outer edge of thedisc. As configured, the furrow control strap always faces to theoutside of the planter row units. For example, when mounted on the leftside planter row units, the furrow control strap will be on the leftside of the assembly with the fertilizer feed shoe on the right.Conversely, one the right hand side planter row units, the furrowcontrol strap will be on the right side of the assembly with thefertilizer feed shoe on the left.

The outer edge of the single disc blade is flat and the inner portion isbeveled. The beveled edge of the disc cuts the furrow for insertion ofthe spring loaded fertilizer feed tube shoe within the furrow. Thespring loaded fertilizer feed tube shoe is pre-loaded during assembly sothat the fertilizer feed tube shoe is biased both to the bottom of thefurrow and against the interior of the disc. The lower front portion ofthe fertilizer feed tube shoe rests against the lower aft portion of thefertilizer feed tube pocket. This allows the fertilizer feed tube shoeto maintain its substantially horizontal orientation but pivot upward inthe event of an over load condition i.e. contact with a stone or clod,thereby preventing catastrophic failure. The upper portion of thefertilizer feed tube pocket serves to strengthen the disc hub supportbeam against side loading forces. The fertilizer feed tube protectivepocket also reduces contact between the fertilizer feed tube assemblyand undesirable materials. The front interior edge of fertilizer feedtube protective pocket is in close proximity to the disc and acts as ascraper.

The spring loaded fertilizer feed shoe has a generally low profile tominimize soil disruption with a length that is substantially greaterthan its width and height. The fertilizer feed shoe has both an activeinner and outer surface. The inner surface is substantially flat and isbiased against the disc to act as a disc scraper. The fertilizer feedtube shoe furrow control edge forms the outer surface of the fertilizerfeed tube shoe and has an arcuate surface with a decreasing radius whichends as a straight edge providing the fertilizer feed tube shoe with aknife like edge to engage the lower inside portion of the furrow. Theedge is substantially horizontal during soil engagement. Fertilizer feedshoe soil engagement tip forms the outer portion of the fertilizer feedtube shoe furrow control edge extending past the periphery of the disc.The inner portion facing the disc is substantially flat. The outerportion also forms a knife like edge having a decreasing arcuate radiusalong its length and ending as a u-shape at the outer most engagementtip. During operation, the disc and fertilizer feed tube shoe furrowcontrol edge in combination produce a u-shaped furrow having a bottomwidth substantially equivalent to its top width. The combination ofdecreasing radii along the fertilizer feed shoe soil engagement tip andfertilizer feed tube shoe furrow control edge hold the furrow created bythe disc open and shape the furrow to allow even discharge anddistribution of the liquid fertilizer therein at the fertilizer feedshoe soil engagement tip with a minimum of soil disruption.

The furrow control strap mounted against the flat side of the discserves to minimize build-up on the outside of the disc and aids inminimizing disruption of the soil surrounding the fertilizer furrow. Thecombination of minimal seed furrow disruption and segregation of theseed and fertilizer furrows provides desired depth and spatial placementof liquid starter fertilizer during planting operations. The discassembly may be adjusted to increase or decrease the depth of fertilizerplacement. The disc assembly may be set to place the fertilizer furrowwithin one, two and three inches of the seed furrow. The depth of thefurrow control strap may also be adjusted.

The single disk liquid fertilizer opener as disclosed and claimed ismounted on the planter row unit. Mounting upon the row unit allows eachdisk opener to respond in parallel with the individual soil and fieldconditions encountered by each individual row unit as the planter ispulled across the field. Mounting to the row unit improves performanceby increasing responsiveness. Furthermore, mounting allows eliminationof complex spring systems which add bulk, weight and complexity therebyreducing performance. In the preferred embodiment, the single disc bladehas a diameter of fourteen inches allowing close mounting to the otherrow unit components. The single disc blade is also substantiallyvertical; this orientation reduces the mounted width of the assembly,allowing mounting on the planter row unit face plate. As built andmounted, the entire assembly weighs thirty-six pounds. By comparison,the assemblies of the prior art weigh between seventy and ninety pounds.This additional weight is unnecessary and only promotes sidewallcompaction in certain conditions where reduction in row unit downpressure is desired.

The single disk liquid fertilizer opener disclosed may be applied to allagricultural planters. Attaching to existing planter equipment isjustified because the unit is simple to install, easily grasped by thosein the field and reliable. As shown by research and practice, liquidfertilizer may increase yields by 5-10% through improved seed access tonecessary fertilizer components. Therefore, a compact single discfertilizer opener is desirable to increase use and application of liquidstarter fertilizer at the time of planting in no-till and minimum tillconditions. It is therefore an objective of the method and apparatusdisclosed to open a small fertilizer trench before the seed trench andoffset to said seed trench for directed delivery of liquid fertilizer atthe bottom of the fertilizer trench prior to insertion of the seed inthe furrow.

It is another objective of the method and apparatus disclosed tominimize creation of sidewall compaction of the v-groove seed trenchformed by the row unit for planting of the seed.It is another objective of the method and apparatus disclosed tomaintain an uniform distance between the fertilizer furrow and the seedfurrow.It is another objective of the method and apparatus disclosed tominimize contact between the disc assembly and the seed trench.It is another objective of the method and apparatus disclosed to shieldthe fertilizer feed tube to minimize opportunities for fertilizer feedtube failure due to impact with field stubble, clods and stones.

It is another objective of the method and apparatus disclosed toeliminate premature mechanical failure of the system by allowingimproved access and maintenance.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 provides a side perspective view of a planter row unit as foundin the prior art.

FIG. 2 provides a side view of a planter row unit as found in the priorart with the present invention mounted in combination with a rowcleaner.

FIG. 3 provides a side perspective view of the planter row unit with thefertilizer disc opener and row cleaner mounted.

FIG. 4 provides an exploded view of single disc liquid fertilizer openeras shown in FIG. 3 above.

FIG. 5 provides a left side view of a left side row unit fertilizer discopener.

FIG. 6 provides a right side view of a left side row unit fertilizerdisc opener.

FIG. 7 provides a front perspective view of a left side row unitfertilizer disc opener.

FIG. 8 provides a rear perspective view of a left side row unitfertilizer disc opener.

FIG. 9 provides a front perspective view of a left side row unitfertilizer disc opener.

FIG. 10 provides a left side view of the right side row unit fertilizerdisc opener.

FIG. 11 provides a right side view of the right side row unit fertilizerdisc opener.

FIG. 12 provides a front perspective view of the right side row unitfertilizer disc opener.

FIG. 13 provides a rear perspective view of the right side row unitfertilizer disc opener.

FIG. 14 provides a front perspective view of a right side row unitfertilizer disc opener.

FIG. 15 provides an enhanced view of the fertilizer feed tube shoe.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION—LISTING OF ELEMENTS

Element Description Element Number Planter Row Unit 1 Row Unit Parallellink 2 Planter Row Unit Front Face Plate 3 Row Unit Mounting Bracketplate 4 Row Unit Mounting Bracket plate bolts 5 Row Unit MountingBracket plate bolt holes 6 Mounting bracket support beam side plate 7Mounting bracket support beam side plate bolt holes 8 Support beamadjustment shim 9 Disc 10 Disc beveled edge 11 Disc hub support beam 12Double-threaded end disc axle 13 Support beam attachment bolts 14 Furrowstrap bracket support nut 15 Furrow strap side axle washer 16 Stepwasher 17 Disc axle support tube 18 Disc axle support tube support weld19 Support beam attachment nuts 20 Washer 21 Support beam bolt holes 22Furrow strap depth adjustment lever 23 Furrow strap depth adjustmentlever setting bolt 24 Disc hub 25 Disc hub bearing grease zirk 26 Dischub mounting bolts 27 Disc hub tapered bearing 28 Disc axle strap keyedand threaded end 29 Furrow strap 30 Furrow strap mounting bracket 31Furrow strap mounting bracket lock slot 32 Furrow strap stiffener 34Furrow strap adjustment holes 35 Furrow strap elastic insert 36Fertilizer feed tube inlet 37 Furrow strap mounting bolts 38 Furrowstrap mounting nuts 39 Fertilizer feed tube shoe 40 Fertilizer feed tube41 Fertilizer feed shoe soil engagement tip 42 Disc axle bearing wearadjustment nut 43 Fertilizer feed tube shoe cantilever end 44 Fertilizerfeed tube shoe furrow control edge 45 Fertilizer feed shoe springengagement slot 46 Fertilizer feed shoe spring 47 Fertilizer feed tubepocket 48 Fertilizer feed tube discharge end 49 Disc axle strap depthcontrol lock slot 50 Disc axle strap depth control keyed and threadedend 51 Fertilizer feed tube shoe spring anti-rotation end 52 Step washergroove 53 Fertilizer feed shoe spring fixation nut 54 Planter mainframe55 Upper parallel link 56 Lower parallel link 57 Center mount of the rowunit frame 58 Row unit seed hopper frame 59 Row Unit Cleaner 60Intentionally blank 61 Gauge Wheels 62 Vee opener blades 63 Guard foropener blades 64 Row Cleaner Unit Trash Wheel 65 Center Shank of RowUnit 66 Air Bag 67 Upper Support - Down Pressure Spring 68 Lower ArmAssembly - Down Pressure Spring 69 Main Drive Shaft 70 Flexible DriveShaft - Row Unit 71 Seed hopper 72 Row Cleaner Unit Mounting assembly 73Closing wheels 74 Single disc liquid fertilizer opener assembly 75

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF INVENTION

Referring now to the drawings, wherein like reference numerals designateidentical or corresponding parts throughout the several views, FIGS. 1-3as presented disclose and describe a typical planter row unit upon whichthe invention may be mounted wherein the row units 1 are attached to atool bar or main frame 58 via a parallel linkage 56, 57. FIG. 1 showsthe planter row unit 1 is traditionally mounted behind and to theplanter mainframe 55 by means of a four bar linkage. This four barlinkage is referred to as a parallel linkage and labeled an upper link56 and a lower link 57. This configuration allows the planter row unit 1to flex during operation. The linkage system composed of upper link 56and lower link 57 connects the center mount of the row unit frame 58 toseed frame hopper 59. Those practiced in the arts will understand thatwith minor modification the apparatus and method disclosed herein can bealso adapted to planter row units 1 mounted to the front of the mainplanter frame 55. The seed hopper frame 59 and seed hopper 72 areattached to the other end of the parallel linkage. Upper support downpressure spring 68 in combination with air bag 67 and lower arm assembly69 which is connected to the lower link 57 of the parallel linkage towork together to exert down pressure to keep the planter row unit 1 inthe ground during planting. Main drive shaft 70 powers and synchronizesoperation of all planter row units mounted to the planter main frame 55.During operation, a furrow for the seed is created by the combinedactions of gauge wheels 62 and vee opener blades 63. The seed isdeposited in the furrow between the gauge wheels 62 and is metered by aconventional metering unit from a seed storage hopper 72. The furrow isclosed by a pair of trailing pinch wheels known as closing wheels 74.(Not shown in FIG. 1) Main drive shaft 70 powers and synchronizes theoperation of all of the planter row units mounted to the planter mainframe 1 for transmission to and through flexible drive shaft 71 to powereach individual planter row unit 1.

FIG. 2 shows the relative mounting of the single disc fertilizer opener75 to the planter row unit front face plate 3. In FIGS. 2 and 3, thesingle disc fertilizer opener 75 has been mounted in combination with arow cleaner 60 to row unit face plate 3. For ease of viewing, liquidfertilizer storage tanks and lines have not been included in theenclosed drawings as those practiced in the arts are well versed instorage and supply of liquid fertilizers for incorporated application.As shown in FIG. 3, the compact offset design of the fertilizer discopener assembly 75 does not interfere with operation of either the rowcleaner 60 or the seed vee-opener blades 63 of the planter row unit 1,even when mounted in the mounting area provided by the row unit frontface plate 3. This compact but sturdy configuration allows thefertilizer feed shoe 40 to maintain its pre-set spatial distance fromthe seed furrow created by the vee-openers 63 during operation overvarious terrains. As shown, the fertilizer feed shoe 40 may be set todeliver liquid fertilizer within one inch of the seed furrow created byvee openers 63.

FIG. 4 provides an exploded view of the invention as shown in FIG. 3.This view specifically illustrates another improvement provided herein.Reference is specifically made herein to U.S. Pat. No. 4,796,550 issuedto Van Natta et al for a “Single Angled Blade Coulter and FertilizerOpener.” As taught by the Van Natta reference, adjustment to the taperedbearings as required by normal wear and use of the disc assembly 75would require removal of a tapered cotter pin from a notch in the shaftassembly before the nuts holding the disc assembly in place could bedrawn down to pull the shaft through the bearing assembly and thustighten the disc on the shaft assembly. Because of the difficultconditions that this assembly is subjected to, the removal of a cotterpin from a tapered slot is complicated by wear, rust and impacted dirt.The present art allows for a simple adjustment of the tapered bearings28 by simply tightening disc axle bearing wear adjustment nut 43.Another advantage of this improved tightening method is that adjustmentof the shaft and tapered bearing 28 does not require exposing theinternal portions of the tapered bearing. This improved maintenancefeature is allowed by using step washer 17 with insert groove 53.Tightening disc axle bearing wear adjustment nut 43 pulls thedouble-threaded end disc axle 13 through the tapered bearing 28 therebyremoving the gap or slack caused by wear in the axle 13 or taperedbearing 28.

The fertilizer feed shoe spring 47 as shown in FIG. 4 when installed iscoiled around axle support tube 18. The pre-installation angle betweenopposing members of the fertilizer feed shoe spring is 105-110 degrees.After installation, the opposing members have an approximate angle of 90degrees. The top member is fixed to the disc support beam. The othermember fits into engagement slot 46 of fertilizer feed shoe 40 at theninety degree angle defined as the fertilizer feed tube shoe springanti-rotation end 52. This ninety degree angle locks the fertilizer feedshoe 40 in position. The result of installing the coiled fertilizer feedshoe spring 47 under load and including fertilizer feed tube shoe springanti-rotation end 52 is to bias the fertilizer feed shoe 40 towards bothdisc 10 and against the bottom of the furrow during operation.

FIGS. 5-9 illustrate the invention as mounted to the row units found onthe left side of a planter. FIGS. 10-14 illustrate the invention asmounted to the row units found on the right side of a planter. FIG. 5provides a left side view of a left side row unit fertilizer disc openerassembly 75 which is primarily composed of sub-assemblies for angularlymounting the disc 10, the furrow closing strap 30 and the fertilizerfeed tube shoe 40. Row unit mounting bracket plate 4 is attached to theplanter row unit at the row unit front face plate 3 by insertingmounting bracket plate bolts 5 and through mounting bracket bolt holes6. Disc hub support beam 12 is engaged and attached to mounting bracketsupport beam side plate 7 by support beam attachment bolts 14 insertedthrough bracket support beam side plate bolt holes 8, washers 21 andnuts 20 for affixation. The depth of the disc 10 may be adjusted forthree depths. When the top bracket support beam side plate bolt holes 8are engaged, the depth of disc 10 is pre-set to cut a maximum ofthree-quarter inch above where the seed will be deposited. Selecting themiddle bracket support beam side plate bolt holes 8 for securement setsthe depth of disc 10 equal to the depth at which the seed will beplanted. Selecting the bottom bracket support beam side plate bolt holes8 for securement sets the depth of disc 10 equal to three-quarter inchbelow the depth at which the seed will be planted. As illustrated byFIG. 5, furrow strap mounting bracket 31 attaches and aligns the furrowstrap 30 to the disc opener assembly 75 through double-threaded end discaxle 13. Furrow strap bracket support nut 15 and washer 16 affixed theposition of the furrow strap mounting bracket 31 in relation disc 10.Furrow strap 30 which supports creation of the furrow made by disc 10 iscomposed of furrow strap stiffener 34 which provides a rigid back to anelastic insert 36 which contacts the soil during operation. Insert 36may be composed of any number of rubber or plastic materials which allowa combination of wear resistance and flexibility. The combination ofstiffener 34 and elastic insert 36 serve to give furrow control strap 30the necessary resiliency to minimize disruption of the soil as thefertilizer furrow is created by disc 10 for deposition of liquidfertilizer. As illustrated by FIG. 5, fertilizer feed tube 41 is mountedto fertilizer feed tube shoe 40 (not shown) and fertilizer feed shoesoil engagement tip 42 extends past the periphery of disc 10. Similarly,FIG. 10 provides a left side view of a right side row unit fertilizerdisc opener assembly 75 which is primarily composed of sub-assembliesfor angularly mounting the disc 10, the furrow control strap 30 and thefertilizer feed tube shoe 40.

FIG. 6 provides a right side view of a left side row unit fertilizerdisc opener assembly 75. Disc 10 is configured to rotate arounddouble-threaded end disc axle 13 (not shown) which is inserted throughaxle support tube 18 (not shown) and attached to the lower end ofsubstantially vertical disc hub support beam 12. The outside edge offertilizer feed tube pocket 48 forms a J-shape and when affixed to dischub support beam 12 by welding, improves the structural strength of thedisc assembly 75 while also creating a protective pocket for fertilizerfeed tube shoe 40. The bottom front portion of fertilizer feed tube 40forms fertilizer feed tube shoe cantilever end 44 that pivotably restsagainst the inside of the lower aft portion of fertilizer feed tubepocket 48. Above the fertilizer feed tube shoe cantilever end 44 isfertilizer feed shoe spring engagement slot 46 for engagement offertilizer feed shoe spring 47 which is installed under load. Byassembling fertilizer feed tube shoe 40 under load, fertilizer feed tubeshoe spring 47 is biased against both disc 10 and the bottom of thefurrow created by disc 10.

The disc axle strap depth control keyed and threaded end 51 is insertedthrough furrow depth control lever 23 and affixed in place by disc axlebearing wear adjustment nut 43. As shown in FIG. 6, fertilizer feed tube41 is affixed to the top of fertilizer feed tube shoe 40 for dischargeof the liquid fertilizer within the furrow created by the disc.Fertilizer feed tube shoe furrow control edge 45 provides a u-shapedfertilizer furrow and keeps the furrow open until the liquid fertilizeris delivered from feed tube discharge end 49 into the bottom of thefurrow past the outside periphery of disc 10. Similarly, FIG. 11provides a right side view of a right side row unit fertilizer discopener assembly 75 which is primarily composed of sub-assemblies forangularly mounting the disc 10, the furrow strap 30 and the fertilizerfeed tube shoe 40.

FIG. 7 provides a front perspective view of a left side row unitfertilizer disc opener assembly 75. As shown in FIG. 7, the disc supportbeam 12 is mounted between both mounting bracket support beam sideplates 7. Support beam attachment bolts 14 are inserted through mountingbracket support beam side plate bolt holes 8 and support beam adjustmentshim 9 to affix disc hub support beam 12 to the mounting bracket plate4. The configuration shown in FIG. 7 places the fertilizer two inchesfrom the center of the seed furrow. Placing and securing the disc hubsupport beam on either side of mounting bracket support beam side plates7 allows the liquid fertilizer to be placed either one inch or threeinches from the center of the seed furrow. Support beam adjustment shim9 allows the same bolts to be used and fixes the spacing of thecomponents.

The disc assembly 75 may also be adjusted to increase or decrease thedepth of fertilizer placement. Selection of any two of the mountingbracket support beam side plate bolt holes 8 allows the disc depth to beset equal to the planter row unit vee-opener blades, which places thefertilizer at the same depth as the seed. The fertilizer may also beplaced three-quarter inch above or below the depth of the seed.Similarly, FIG. 12 provides a right side view of a right side row unitfertilizer disc opener assembly 75 which is primarily composed ofsub-assemblies for angularly mounting the disc 10, the furrow strap 30and the fertilizer feed tube shoe 40. As shown in FIG. 12, the disc hubsupport beam 12 is mounted between both mounting bracket support beamside plates 7 but may also be configured for selected offsets from thecenter of the seed furrow or pre-selected depths.

FIG. 8 provides a rear perspective view of a left side row unitfertilizer disc opener assembly 75. As shown in FIG. 8, disc hub supportbeam 12 is parallel to the planter row unit 1 direction of travel. Discaxle support tube 18 is mounted to disc hub support beam 12 at a fourdegree angle by disc axle support tube support weld 19 anddouble-threaded end disc axle 13 is inserted through disc axle supporttube 18. Furrow control strap 30, disc 10 and fertilizer feed shoe 40are then mounted upon disc axle support tube 18 or double-threaded enddisc axle 13 in parallel to each other but at a four degree angle to theplanter row unit direction of travel. This configuration ensuresaccurate placement of the liquid fertilizer both in relation to thefertilizer furrow and the seed furrow during operation. This figure alsoillustrates the importance of furrow control strap 30 to achieving theobjectives of the row unit fertilizer disc opener assembly 75. Thefurrow control strap 30 mounted against the flat side of the disc 10serves to minimize build-up on the outside of the disc and aids inminimizing disruption of the soil surrounding the fertilizer furrow. Thecombination of minimal seed furrow disruption and segregation of theseed and fertilizer furrows provides desired depth and spatial placementof liquid starter fertilizer during planting operations. The position ofthe furrow control strap 30 may also be adjusted via furrow strapadjustment lever 23 and furrow strap adjustment lever setting bolt 24.Similarly, FIG. 13 provides a right side view of a right side row unitfertilizer disc opener assembly 75 which is primarily composed ofsub-assemblies for angularly mounting the disc 10, the furrow strap 30and the fertilizer feed tube shoe 40.

FIG. 9 provides a front perspective view of a left side row unitfertilizer disc opener assembly 75. FIGS. 8 and 9 also illustrate thebeneficial structural features allowed by fertilizer feed tube pocket48. As shown in FIG. 8, the steel structure of fertilizer feed tubepocket 48 serves as a shield against undesirable materials and reducescontact between the fertilizer feed tube assembly 40 and said materials.The front interior edge of fertilizer feed tube protective pocket 48 isin close proximity to the disc 10 and acts as a scraper. As shown inFIG. 9, the J shape of the front edge of the fertilizer feed tube pocket48 serves to strengthen the disc hub support beam 12 against sideloading forces. Similarly, FIG. 14 provides a front perspective of aright side row unit fertilizer disc opener assembly 75 which isprimarily composed of sub-assemblies for angularly mounting the disc 10,the furrow strap 30 and the fertilizer feed tube shoe 40.

FIG. 15 better illustrates the fertilizer feed shoe 40. The outer edgeof the single disc blade 10 is flat and the inner portion is beveled 11.The beveled edge of the disc 11 cuts a furrow for insertion of thespring loaded fertilizer feed tube shoe 40 within the furrow. Thefertilizer feed tube shoe spring 47 is pre-loaded during assembly sothat the fertilizer feed tube shoe 40 is biased both to the bottom ofthe furrow and against the interior of the disc 10. The lower frontportion of the fertilizer feed tube shoe 44 rests against the lower aftportion of the fertilizer feed tube pocket 48. This configuration allowsthe fertilizer feed tube shoe 40 to maintain its substantiallyhorizontal orientation but pivot upward in the event of an over loadcondition i.e. contact with a stone or clod, thereby preventingcatastrophic failure.

The spring loaded fertilizer feed shoe 40 has a generally low profile tominimize soil disruption with a length that is substantially greaterthan its width and height. In the preferred embodiment, the fertilizerfeed shoe 40 is six inches long when paired with a disc 10 having afourteen inch diameter. The fertilizer feed shoe 40 has both an activeinner and outer surface. The inner surface is substantially flat and isbiased against the disc 10 to act as a disc scraper. The fertilizer feedtube shoe furrow control edge 45 forms the outer surface of thefertilizer feed tube shoe 40 and has an arcuate surface with adecreasing radius which ends as a straight edge providing the fertilizerfeed tube shoe 40 with a knife like edge to engage the lower insideportion of the furrow. The fertilizer feed tube shoe furrow control edge45 is substantially horizontal during soil engagement. Fertilizer feedshoe soil engagement tip 42 forms the outer portion of the fertilizerfeed tube shoe furrow control edge 45 extending past the periphery ofthe disc 10. The inner portion of the fertilizer feed shoe soilengagement tip 42 facing the disc is substantially flat. The outerportion of the fertilizer feed shoe soil engagement tip 42 also forms aknife like edge having a decreasing arcuate radius along its length andending as a u-shape at the outer most engagement tip. During operation,the disc 10 and fertilizer feed tube shoe furrow control edge 45 incombination produce a u-shaped furrow having a bottom widthsubstantially equivalent to its top width. The combination of decreasingradii along the fertilizer feed shoe soil engagement tip 42 andfertilizer feed tube shoe furrow control edge 45 hold the furrow createdby the disc 10 open and shape the furrow to allow even discharge anddistribution of the liquid fertilizer from the fertilizer feed tubedischarge end 49 therein at the fertilizer feed shoe soil engagement tip42 with a minimum of soil disruption.

Although preferred forms of the invention have been described above, itis to be recognized that such disclosure is by way of illustration only,and should not be utilized in a limiting sense in interpreting the scopeof the present invention. Obvious modifications to the exemplaryembodiments, as hereinabove set forth, could be readily made by thoseskilled in the art without departing from the spirit of the presentinvention.

The inventors hereby state their intent to rely on the Doctrine ofEquivalents to determine and assess the reasonably fair scope of theirinvention as pertains to any apparatus not materially departing from butoutside the literal scope of the invention as set out in the followingclaims.

1. A material delivery shoe comprising: a. a first end, wherein saidfirst end is configured to pivotally affix said shoe to a hub of a discopener; b. a second end, wherein said second end is configured to engagethe bottom and a portion of the sides of a furrow; c. a bottom surface,wherein a portion of said bottom surface connects said first end to saidsecond end, wherein said bottom surface is configured to engage thebottom and a portion of the sides of said furrow, and wherein thecross-sectional shape of said bottom surface approximates the shape ofsaid furrow; and d. an inner surface, wherein said inner surface ispositioned adjacent said disc opener, and wherein at least a portion ofsaid inner surface engages said disc opener.
 2. The material deliveryshoe according to claim 1 further comprising a tube, wherein said tubeis affixed to said shoe and positioned away from said bottom surface. 3.The material delivery shoe according to claim 1 further comprising atube, wherein said tube is integrally formed with said shoe.
 4. Thematerial delivery shoe according to claim 1 further comprising a springengagement slot, wherein said spring engagement slot is positionedadjacent said first end.
 5. A material placement shoe for use with anopener assembly of a planter row unit, said shoe comprising: a. a mainbody comprising: i) a first end, wherein said first end is configured topivotally affix said shoe to said opener assembly; ii) a second end,wherein said second end is configured to engage a furrow formed by saidopener assembly; iii) a bottom surface, wherein said bottom surface isconfigured to engage the bottom of said furrow; iv) an inner surface,wherein said inner surface is adjacent to said furrow opener assembly,and wherein a portion of said inner surface is in contact with saidfurrow opener assembly; and v) a spring engagement slot; b. a tube,wherein said tube is affixed to the top side of said main body; and c. aspring, wherein said spring is configured to simultaneously bias saidshoe toward said furrow opener assembly and toward the bottom of saidfurrow.
 6. The material placement shoe according to claim 5 wherein saidtube is defined as being integrally formed with said main body of saidshoe.
 7. The material placement shoe according to claim 5 wherein saidshoe further comprises a cantilevered attachment portion, wherein saidcantilevered attachment portion is affixed to said main body first end.8. The material placement shoe according to claim 5 wherein said furrowopener assembly is further defined as a disc opener.
 9. The materialplacement shoe according to claim 8 wherein said shoe is further definedas being pivotally affixed to the hub of said disc opener.
 10. Thematerial placement shoe according to claim 8 wherein said shoe isfurther defined as being within the shadow of said disc opener duringforward travel of said disc opener.
 11. The material placement shoeaccording to claim 5 wherein said second end, said bottom surface, andsaid inner surface are further defined as being constructed of awear-resistant material.
 12. A material delivery shoe comprising: a. acantilevered first end, wherein said cantilevered first end isconfigured to pivotally affix said shoe to a hub of a disc opener; b. atapered second end, wherein said tapered second end is configured toengage the bottom of a furrow; c. a bottom surface, wherein a portion ofsaid bottom surface connects said cantilevered first end to said taperedsecond end, and wherein said bottom surface is configured to engage thebottom of said furrow; d. a tube, wherein said tube is positioned awayfrom said bottom surface; and e. an inner surface, wherein said innersurface is positioned adjacent said disc opener, and wherein at least aportion of said inner surface engages said disc opener.
 13. The materialdelivery shoe according to claim 12 wherein said tube is further definedas being internal to said material delivery shoe, wherein a first end ofsaid tube is positioned adjacent said first end of said materialdelivery shoe, and wherein a second end of said tube is positionedadjacent said second end of said material delivery shoe.
 14. Thematerial delivery shoe according to claim 12 further comprising a springengagement slot formed in said material placement shoe adjacent saidfirst end, wherein a spring is engaged with said spring engagement slotsuch that said material delivery shoe is simultaneously biased againstsaid disc opener and the bottom of said furrow.